Inside The Bills

Last week ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper in his latest mock draft had the Bills taking North Carolina G Jonathan Cooper eighth overall, a departure from the more popular pass rushing LB and QB picks in other mock drafts. Now fellow ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay has gone and done the same with a differenct offensive lineman.

Scenario 1: Warmack is physically dominant and would fill the hole left by the departure of Andy Levitre. It’s not a sexy pick, but Warmack is perhaps the most NFL-ready prospect at any position and would help protect free-agent acquisition Kevin Kolb, who had trouble staying healthy behind Arizona’s suspect offensive line last season.Scenario 2: Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib seems like a natural fit in Buffalo, with his former college coach Doug Marrone taking the reins for the Bills. This pick might be a little rich for Nassib, but Buffalo could perhaps utilize it in a trade that would allow Marrone to get Nassib later in the fist or early in the second.Scenario 3: The Bills need a pass-rusher to help take pressure off the rest of the defensive line, and the explosiveness and natural athleticism of DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo would lend some flexibility to the defense.Stats and Info: Buffalo used five different right guards last season, tied for the second most in the NFL. Warmack played every game on an Alabama offensive line that averaged 6.5 yards per carry on designed run plays between the tackles last season.

There’s no question that Warmack and Cooper are the two most talented guards in the class and the only worthy first-round picks at that position. Replacing Levitre is an issue that must be addressed, but whether Buffalo goes to these lengths is up for debate.